Ellen Cohen

Ellen Cohen

Ellen Cohen, former Director of The Clarkstown Counseling Center, passed away at home in New City, NY on May 12, 2021 after a long battle with cervical cancer. She was 78. After earning an MSW, CSW from Hunter College, her service to the local community included years as a teen and family therapist at The Counseling Center prior to serving over five years as Director, during which she was credited with growing the Center from a teen Drop-In Center to a multi-dimensional counseling center serving teens and families. Ms. Cohen retired into a 20-year private practice, expanding her services to professionals needing short-term therapy aimed at handling job stress, focusing on police, teachers and nurses.

A 50-year resident of New City, Ms. Cohen was originally from Bethesda, MD, coming to NY by way of attending The New School for Social Research, now The New School. In Bethesda, she was a competitive swimmer and social protester, following in the footsteps of her parents who were Hyman and Boshie Bookbinder. Her sister is Amy Bookbinder of Northampton, MA. Ellen was married to Bern Cohen in New York City in 1964 who survives her along with two children; Michael who is married to Mai and has two children, Khai and Violet; and Rebecca who has one child, Coral.

Ms. Cohen was an early fighter for women's rights and was the first Rockland woman in a local Rotary. She always fought to maintain local budgets in support of mental health programs, travelling to Albany on occasion to lobby for such budgets. She also travelled to Israel on two "Missions" and was an avid gardener, cat fancier and news junkie. A memorial will be announced shortly for family and close friends.